July 26, 2021
As businesses continue to reopen nationwide, less than half of Americans express confidence in the economy. Forty-five percent say the economy is in good shape, while 54% think its condition is poor. Views are similar to what they were in June and in March.
More than six months into his first term as president, about half of the public approves of the way President Joe Biden handles the economy. Fifty-two percent approve of his handling of the economy, including 84% of Democrats and 50% of independents. Republicans are more skeptical with 86% expressing disapproval. Biden’s approval rating overall is somewhat higher, as is approval for his handling of COVID-19. Democrats and Republicans are divided in their assessments across all issue areas.
Democrats, people with a college education, and those age 60 and older are more likely to describe the economy as doing well.
Despite these divides, the public supports continuing many provisions of the coronavirus and economic relief package. More than two-thirds of Americans believe that funding for vaccine distribution and low-interest loans for small businesses are still necessary. There is bi-partisan support for continued assistance to small businesses. The nationwide moratorium on evictions is due to expire in July even though 57% adults believe it is still needed. Only 34% think that additional unemployment insurance payments of $300 per week, currently set to expire in September, remains necessary.
The nationwide poll was conducted July 15-19, 2021 using the AmeriSpeak® Panel, the probability-based panel of NORC at the University of Chicago. Online and telephone interviews using landlines and cell phones were conducted with 1,308 adults. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.7 percentage points.
- Suggested Citation: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (July, 2021).“Support for Extending COVID-19 Economic Relief” https://apnorc.org/projects/support-for-extending-covid-19-economic-relief/
